Key Takeaways
- The United States men’s national team is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the opener against Paraguay on June 12.
- The team’s defensive lineup is still being discussed, with options including a three-man or four-man backline.
- Chris Richards and Tim Ream are expected to be starters as center backs, with Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams in the midfield.
- Christian Pulisic will play a key role as a left winger, with Folarin Balogun as the lone striker.
- The team’s formation and player positions may be subject to change, with fluidity expected in the lineup.
Introduction to the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Every day, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws closer, and the United States men’s national team is gearing up for its opener against Paraguay on June 12. As the team prepares for the tournament, there is much speculation about the starting lineup and formation that manager Pochettino will choose. FOX Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas has made his latest prediction, which includes a three-man defensive lineup with two wingbacks. This formation has been used by Pochettino in the past, and it will be interesting to see if he sticks with it for the World Cup.
Defensive Lineup Predictions
The defensive lineup is a key area of discussion, with Pochettino having used both three-man and four-man backlines in recent games. Last year, he switched to a three-man backline midway through a 2-0 loss to South Korea, and then stuck with it for the next few games. However, in November, he reverted to a four-man defensive lineup for the wins against Paraguay and Uruguay. Regardless of the formation, Chris Richards and Tim Ream are expected to be starters as center backs. Richards has had a standout year, winning the 2025 U.S. Male Soccer Player of the Year award and helping Crystal Palace win the FA Cup and Community Shield.
Midfield and Attacking Lineup
The midfield sees some familiar faces, with Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, both veterans of the 2022 World Cup, expected to start. McKennie has been in fine form as a productive box-to-box midfielder, while Adams provides a more defensive role. Tillman is expected to play as an attacking midfielder on the right, having shined at the 2025 Gold Cup with three goals. Up top, Folarin Balogun is deployed as a lone striker, with Christian Pulisic in a playmaking left winger role. However, as Lalas notes, Pulisic is expected to have a lot of fluidity in his role, and will be a key player in helping the USA make a run at the World Cup.
Player Roles and Expectations
The roles of the players in the starting lineup are expected to be fluid, with Pochettino likely to make adjustments as needed. Christian Pulisic, in particular, is expected to be a key player, using his skills to create scoring opportunities for the team. With his ability to play in a variety of positions, Pulisic will be a crucial component of the team’s attack. Meanwhile, Folarin Balogun will be looking to make an impact as the lone striker, using his speed and agility to create scoring chances. The midfield duo of McKennie and Adams will be responsible for controlling the tempo of the game, with Tillman providing an attacking threat from the right.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, the United States men’s national team is gearing up for a strong performance. With a talented roster and a experienced manager in Pochettino, the team has a good chance of making a deep run in the tournament. While the starting lineup and formation are still being finalized, one thing is certain – the team will be looking to Christian Pulisic to make a major impact. With his skills and experience, Pulisic will be a key player in the team’s success, and will be looking to lead the USA to a strong performance in the World Cup.